CSKA set the new Euroleague record with no losses on the group stage of the tournament. The previous record-holder Kinder Bologna managed to loose one game on the stage in 2000/01 season, but then the team had to play only 10 games because 24 Euroleague clubs were divided into 4 group.
Opel Skyliners vs CSKA: 88-103
David Andersen managed to make a double-double with 30 points and 11 rebounds. He spent on the court all 40 minutes but 30 seconds. The reason for that was the absence of Alexey Savrasenko. Also Antonio Granger and Dimos Dikoudis had to stay in Moscow because of the flue. Other CSKA scorers were Marcus Brown (21) and Sergey Monya (20).
The key for the first period was zone defense. Skyliners used this type of the defense from the very beginning and became the leader – 8-3 on the 3rd minute of the game. CSKA answered with a 0-10 run and managed to keep on being ahead all the game long. Skyliners tried to change the rhythm of the game and it helped the team to cut the difference down in the 2nd quarter – 43-40. But in general the situation on the court was not critical for CSKA in any moment of the game.
CSKA head coach Dusan Ivkovic:
- We were not looking forward to any record. That is not our main target. We want to play great basketball and we did it offensively tonight. But there is also a lot of space to improve our game. Frankfurt fought until the last second, but with three players out of the rotation we controlled the game very good. I think we deserved to win against a great fighting team.
Opel head coach Murat Didin:
- That was our final game and when I look back to the preseason, where we lost games against top teams like Moscow with over 40 points, I must say, that nobody expected that we'd reach the level we have shown. But our team always believes in its strength and our team feelings helped a lot. With the experience of this season, we have created the foundations of the Opel Skyliners' future.
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